Dripping Springs Natural Area Visitor Survey

Transcription

1 Visitor Survey Introduction In order for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to comply with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), and better meet the needs of the public; a visitor satisfaction survey was conducted at 24 BLM recreation sites in 13 states during fiscal year 2013 (FY13). The survey was developed to measure each site's performance related to BLM GPRA Goal Provide for a quality recreation experience, including access, and enjoyment of natural and cultural resources on DOI managed and partnered lands and waters; and Goal Provide for and receive fair value in recreation. The information collected during the survey will also help the BLM better serve the public. The survey collected visitor satisfaction data regarding visitor information (i.e., use of maps, signs, brochures), developed facilities, managing recreation use, resource management, BLM staff and customer service, and educational and interpretive materials. The results of the visitor satisfaction survey conducted at Dripping Springs Natural Area are summarized in this data report. A description of the research methods and limitations can be found on the next page. Below (left) is a graph summarizing visitor opinions of the "overall quality of recreation experience." The satisfaction measure next to this graph is a combined percentage of "good" and "very good" responses. This is the primary performance measure for GPRA Goal 3.1 and should be used for reporting performance for this goal (NOTE: the satisfaction measure may not equal the sum of "very good" and "good" percentages due to rounding). The response rate for this site survey was 9. The graph and satisfaction measure summarizing visitor opinions of the value for fee paid, which is the primary performance measure for GPRA Goal 3.2, can be found on page 9. Overall quality of recreation experience FY13: 203 respondents 1 83% FY13 GPRA Satisfaction Measure Percentage of site visitors satisfied overall with appropriate facilities, services, and recreational opportunities: 98% FY13 Satisfaction measure: 98% evaluation score: 4.8 Report prepared by the University of Idaho Park Studies Unit for the Bureau of Land Management, US Department of the Interior

2 Research Methods Understanding the Results Inside this report are graphs that illustrate the survey results. The report contains 8 categories of data regarding BLM amenities, staff, and services plus selected demographics. Within these categories are graphs for each indicator evaluated by site visitors. For example, the Visitor Information category includes indicators such as providing useful maps and brochures, adequate signs on site for direction, and so forth. In each category there is a graph entitled Everything Considered. This graph is the basis for determining visitor satisfaction for each category and GPRA reporting numbers. Each graph includes the following information: The number of visitor responses for the indicator; The percentage of responses which were "very good," "good," "average," "poor," and "very poor;" A "satisfaction measure" that combines the percentage of total responses which were "very good" or "good;" and!an average evaluation score (mean score) based on the following values: very poor= 1, poor= 2, average= 3, good= 4, very good= 5. Very The higher the average evaluation score, the more positive the visitor response Graph percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding 5 Very Surveys were distributed to a random sample of visitors at this site during a selected period in FY13, The survey response rate is described on the first page of this report, meaning that 9 of those randomly sampled responded to the survey.the data reflect visitor opinions about this site's facilities, management, services, educational opportunities, and fees during the survey period. Visitor activities and selected demographics were also captured. A representative sample of the general visitor population were surveyed at selected locations. The results do not necessarily apply to visitors during other times of the year, or visitors who did not visit the survey locations on site. Returned surveys were electronically scanned and the data analyzed. Frequency distributions were calculated for each indicator and category. Research Methods All percentage calculations were rounded to the nearest percent. The survey response rate is described on the first page of this report. The sample size (n) varies from figure to figure, depending on the number of responses. Caution is advised when interpreting any data with a sample size of less than 30. In such cases, the word CAUTION! is included in the graph. This report excludes any indicator with less than 10 responses. For most indicators, the survey data are expected to be accurate with in ± with 9 confidence. This means that if different samples had been drawn, the results would have been similar (±) 95 out of 100 times. For more information about this survey, contact Jennifer Hoger Russell, BLM Survey Project Coordinator at the University of Idaho Park Studies Unit (208)

3 Visitor Information Providing useful maps and brochures FY13: 217 respondents Providing useful information on the Internet FY13: 132 respondents 78% 5 18% 28% 1 FY13 Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.7 Ensuring public awareness of rules and regulations FY13: 215 respondents FY13: Satisfaction measure: 87% evaluation score: 4.5 Providing adequate signs on site for direction and orientation FY13: 222 respondents 68% 68% 24% FY13 Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.6 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.6 Everything considered: quality of BLM visitor information FY13: 220 respondents 73% 24% 4% FY13: Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.7 3

4 Developed Facilities Maintaining roads for motorized vehicles FY13: 214 respondents Maintaining a clean site FY13: 227 respondents 54% 74% % FY13 Satisfaction measure: 88% evaluation score: 4.4 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.7 Maintaining trails for non-motorized use FY13: 216 respondents Maintaining cleanliness of restrooms and other physical facilities FY13: 209 respondents 60% 7 33% 24% Very poor FY13 Satisfaction measure: 94% evaluation score: 4.5 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.6 Everything considered: overall condition of developed facilities FY13: 222 respondents 70% 28% 4 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 98% evaluation score: 4.7

5 Managing Visitor and Recreation Use Managing the appropriate use of vehicles FY13: 187 respondents Managing the number of people FY13: 202 respondents 70% FY13 Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.6 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 98% evaluation score: 4.7 Keeping noise at appropriate levels FY13: 204 respondents Providing sufficient law enforcement presence to prevent crime FY13: 147 respondents 7 64% 2 FY13 Satisfaction measure: 98% evaluation score: 4.7 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.6 Everything considered: visitor and recreation management FY13: 218 respondents 7 2 4% FY13: Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.7 5

6 Resource Management Adequately protecting the natural resources FY13: 222 respondents Ensuring that visitor activities do not infringe on resource protection FY13: 213 respondents 73% 67% 2 7% FY13 Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.7 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 93% evaluation score: 4.6 Adequately protecting the cultural resources FY13: 224 respondents Everything considered: BLM protection of natural and cultural resources FY13: 225 respondents 6 68% Very poor FY13 Satisfaction measure: 93% evaluation score: 4.6 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 94% evaluation score: 4.6 6

7 BLM Staff and Service Staff treated me courteously FY13: 214 respondents Staff demonstrated knowledge about the natural and cultural resources in the area FY13: 201 respondents 94% 8 0% FY13 Satisfaction measure: 100% evaluation score: 4.9 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 98% evaluation score: 4.9 Staff demonstrated knowledge about recreational opportunities in the area FY13: 204 respondents Everything considered: performance of BLM staff FY13: 214 respondents 8 8 FY13 Satisfaction measure: 98% evaluation score: 4.9 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 98% evaluation score: 4.9 7

8 Providing Educational and Interpretive Material Providing quality educational and interpretive material about the resources at this site FY13: 204 respondents Providing stewardship information on how to protect the cultural and natural resources FY13: 196 respondents 6 63% 28% 28% 8% FY13 Satisfaction measure: 94% evaluation score: 4.6 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.5 Providing a sufficient quantity of educational and interpretive materials about the resources at this site FY13: 205 respondents Everything considered: interpretive and educational program FY13: 205 respondents % 7% FY13 Satisfaction measure: 93% evaluation score: 4.6 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.6 8

9 Fees No fees Total fees paid FY13: 236 respondents 47% How appropriate was the fee charged for this site/area? FY13: 165 respondents Far too low 4% Amount spent Under $25 $25 - $50 3% > $50 0% 50% Too low About right 7% 8 Too high Far too high 0% The value of the recreation opportunity was at least equal to the fee asked to pay. FY13: 159 respondents Strongly agree 5 Agree 34% Not Sure Disagree Strongly disagree 0% Commercial Recreation Operations Quality of Commercial Services FY13: 22 respondents 5 14% CAUTION! FY13 Satisfaction measure: 8 evaluation score: 4.3 9

10 Primary Activities at this Site/Area Primary activities FY13: 236 respondents** Camping Fishing Hunting Target shooting 3% 0% 0% Sightseeing 3 Picnicking 2 Hiking/walking 94% Activities Swimming Motorized boating Non-motorized boating/rafting Horseback riding 0% 0% 0% Rock climbing Driving for pleasure Bicycling Motorized recreation vehicles Education and interpretation Birdwatching/wildlife viewing Other 13% 10% 18% 4% ** Percentages do not equal 100 because visitors could choose more than one activity. Programs (interpretive, walk, tour, exhibit, presentations, etc.) Quality of program(s) attended FY13: 34 respondents 74% 18% 10 FY13 Satisfaction measure: 9 evaluation score: 4.6

11 Demographics Visitor group composition FY13: 152 groups Adults (18 and over) 6 Number of adults (18 and over) in group FY13: 152 groups 6 and more Age group Teenagers (13-17) 3 Adults in group % Children (under 12) Proportion of groups Proportion of groups Number of teenagers (13-17) in group FY13: 152 groups Number of children (under 12) in group FY13: 152 groups 6 and more 6 and more 3% 3-5 0% 3-5 Teenagers in group 1-2 Children in group none 9 none 84% Proportion of groups Proportion of groups Respondent age FY13: 206 respondents Gender FY13: 200 respondents 71 and over 10% Male 44% % Gender Female 5 Age (years) % Number of respondents % % Number of respondents 11

12 Accessibility to Visitors with Disabilities Ability to adequately use the facilities FY13: 45 respondents Ability to access exhibits, waysides, etc. FY13: 47 respondents 6 64% 3 23% 7% 4% FY13 Satisfaction measure: 93% evaluation score: 4.6 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 87% evaluation score: 4.4 Ability to understand the messages FY13: 44 respondents Ability to use the services in this area FY13: 45 respondents FY13: Satisfaction measure: 93% evaluation score: 4.6 FY13: Satisfaction measure: 98% evaluation score: Park Studies Unit